Roger Whitehead
Special to The Randolph Guide
RANDLEMAN —
A young Providence Grove High School volleyball squad ran up against an experienced Randleman team last week and was defeated by the Tigers.
In notching a three-set victory, Randleman improved to 4-0 on the season, sailing to a 25-14, 25-19, 25-12 win in the nonconference match.
Earlier in the week, Providence Grove had hosted Wheatmore and, in a four-set match, saw the Warriors take home a 17-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 verdict.
With the week’s results, the Patriots slipped to 3-2 on the season.
After falling behind early in Game 1 at 4-2, the Tigers went on a 9-1 run to gain momentum. PGHS rallied to within four points but Randleman regrouped to move in front 18-9 and close out the game.
In Game 2 the Patriots stayed close but fell behind 22-14 and could get no closer than five points, dropping into a 0-2 deficit.
The Tigers put away the verdict in Game 3, sailing out to a 10-2 advantage and tacked on a 6-0 run before claiming the victory in straight sets.
Randleman was led by Brittany Rich with 11 kills and six aces and Raven Hayes with six kills and two aces. Meka Hoover racked up 28 assists, three kills, three aces and a block.
Other leaders were Rebecca Oakes with seven kills and two blocks and Taylor Hussey with an ace, three kills and two assists.
Kristie Langley led Providence Grove with five kills, three points, two aces, two digs and a block. Lia Johnson posted 25 assists while Christina Coltrane had six kills and two blocks.
Action was tight in the match with Wheatmore as the teams battled through four sets.
In Game 1 there were five ties and several lead changes, with the Patriots ahead early 8-7. PGHS went on a 12-6 run to take control for the Game 1 win.
But remaining action saw the Warriors seize control, breaking away from a 15-15 tie in Game 2 to finish with a four-point margin.
Game 3 saw the tightest play of the night as neither club could gain a workable margin. Several ties and lead changes followed, with a 22-22 tie before Wheatmore closed out with three points to take the set.
The same pattern followed in Game 4, neither team able to move in front by more than two points. The Warriors took a late lead at 22-19 and played PGHS even down the stretch.
Pacing Wheatmore was Courtney Rains with 20 points and four blocks while Kelly Davis had 36 assists and 12 points. Katy Davis added 13 points and seven aces.
Providence Grove was paced by Langley with 12 kills, eight digs, eight points, four aces and three blocks.
Coltrane added seven kills, five blocks, four digs and two points while Anna Shelton collected seven kills, six digs, seven points, five blocks and two aces. Carlie Williams notched nine points, six kills, four aces, four digs and two blocks.
